Prevention of cyclophosphamide cystitis with 2-mercaptoethane sodium sulfonate: a histologic study.

The ability of 2-mercaptoethane sodium sulfonate to prevent histologic damage to the bladder from cyclophosphamide was studied. Male rats receiving 2-mercaptoethane sodium sulfonate in conjunction with cyclophosphamide had a statistically significant decrease in ulceration, inflammation and edema of the bladder compared to those treated with cyclophosphamide alone. Most bladders of animals given prophylactic 2-mercaptoethane sodium sulfonate with a dose of cyclophosphamide were histologically indistinguishable from controls receiving neither drug. The relevance of these findings to the short and long-term effects of cyclophosphamide on the urothelium is discussed.